Club Med Partners with Nukakamma to Train South African Youth for Future Hospitality Careers

Club Med South Africa has partnered with the Nukakamma Talent Development Centre to offer world-class training and career opportunities to disadvantaged youth. This collaboration, which aligns with the 2026 launch of Club Med’s new resort on Durban’s north coast, aims to train 160 young South Africans for careers in hospitality, specifically in food and beverage service.

Launching a New Generation of Hospitality Leaders

In February 2025, 160 young talents began the program, which includes 6-8 months of theoretical and practical training followed by a 6-month internship. Club Med is playing a pivotal role in funding, recruitment, and training, ensuring that the curriculum is both comprehensive and industry relevant and builds a solid foundation for sustainable career growth.

Olivier Perillat-Piratoine, Managing Director of Club Med, shares his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to see the first intake of students starting their training at Nukakamma. As part of Club Med’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, we are dedicated to uplifting the communities in which we operate through our ‘Happy to Care’ initiatives”

World-Class Training with Global Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be offered employment at the new Club Med South Africa Resort, where they will put their newly acquired skills to work. Moreover, the program opens opportunities for future international careers, with the potential for graduates to work at Club Med resorts worldwide. In a remarkable opportunity for trainees, Michelin-starred Chef Pascal Favre d’Anne will serve as a mentor, ensuring that the culinary and hospitality standards are held to the highest benchmarks and setting a global standard for talent development.

A Model of Public-Private Partnership

This public-private partnership sets a new benchmark in talent development, empowering young South Africans to build sustainable, global careers in hospitality.

As the launch of Club Med South Africa approaches, this program will help transform the hospitality landscape and provide lasting opportunities for South African youth.